The other day, I was talking with one of our “community leaders” about various political issues of the day. In fact, this woman is paid by a local group to stay informed about and involved with issues vital to improving our neighborhoods.
After a while, the discussion turned to public schools, and it became pretty apparent she was no public-school fan.
“We’re getting real close to making a decision on whether we can keep living here in this neighborhood,” she told me, speaking earnestly and with great emotion.
“We love our home here, and our neighbors, and everything about living here, but I just don’t know if we can afford to send our children to private school.”
What about public school, I asked. Which neighborhood public school could her children attend?
There was a long, awkward pause.
“Well, it’s…um…ah…”
Well, I asked, what has happened at this unnamed school to frighten her so?
Silence.
Are the test scores poor, I asked? Are there racial problems? Fights? Had she spoken with the principal about the problems?